Public service a vital calling – DM Morolong

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has urged public servants to treat their roles not merely as a job, but as a calling to serve society.

The Deputy Minister delivered an address at the 2026 Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Public Service Month commemoration, held in Pretoria, on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

“Public service is more than a profession; it is a calling and a responsibility. It is a commitment to place the needs of our people at the centre of everything we do. Regardless of our role, we share a responsibility to contribute to the wellbeing, development and prosperity of South Africa.

“As we reflected last year, public service is not merely a job; it is a vocation rooted in the principles of Batho Pele, putting people first. Above all, we must never lose sight of who we serve and why we serve,” he said.

Public Service Month is recognised annually during September in South Africa.

“Public Service Month is not just a calendar event. It is both a celebration and a call to action. It recognises the contribution of public servants across the country while challenging us to continually improve the way we serve. 

“It is a call to strengthen our performance and uphold the values of professionalism, integrity, accountability and compassion,” Morolong noted.

Turning to the unique mandate of the GCIS, Morolong highlighted that communication is inextricably linked to effective service delivery.

Citizens, he noted, can only fully access government opportunities and programs when they are empowered with “accurate, timely and relevant facts”.

“GCIS sits at the intersection of policy and the people it is meant to serve: the voice, the bridge and, at times, the first responder when citizens ask what government is doing, how it affects their lives and whether they can trust the message. 

“Our responsibility is not simply to communicate, but to ensure that information reaches people in ways that are meaningful, accessible and useful.

“Every communication product, whether a media statement, community engagement, public information campaign or social media post, has the potential to help citizens make informed decisions and access opportunities that improve their lives,” he explained.

Morolong noted that with the Local Government Elections on the horizon (4 November 2026), the demands on government communicators will increase exponentially.

“During this period, citizens rely on government communication channels for information about services, programmes and government activities. It is therefore essential that we continue to provide information that is factual, accessible and responsive to the needs of the public.

“At the same time, we must remain mindful of an important principle that underpins our work: government communication must always be politically impartial,” he said.

The Deputy Minister urged all public servants within the GCIS to “take pride in what we have achieved while remaining focused on the work that lies ahead”.

“Let us continue to serve with professionalism, integrity and purpose. Let us continue striving for excellence in everything we do. And let us continue working together to build a stronger GCIS and a better South Africa.

“Together, we can ensure that government communication not only informs, but also strengthens democracy, promotes accountability and helps build a more united, inclusive and prosperous nation.

“In doing so, we carry forward the commitment we made last year: to ensure that no South African is left behind or left in the dark about what government is doing,” Morolong concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

 

0